29 November 2010: At a meeting held in Japan on 29 November 2010, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan agreed on a joint statement for a stronger partnership towards peace and prosperity in the international community and the South Asian Region, including on climate change and disaster preparedness.

The two Prime Ministers underscored the importance of promoting infrastructure development in the field of electricity, taking into account environmental aspects and supporting partnerships between public and private sectors. Prime Minister Kan conveyed Japan’s commitment to continue to support the strengthening of disaster reduction measures in Bangladesh, in the face of its pronounced vulnerability to climate change.

The two Prime Ministers reiterated the urgent need to tackle climate change challenges and strengthen dialogue in various forums. They reaffirmed their determination to constructively work together towards a successful outcome of the Cancun Climate Change Conference, agreeing on the need for an early adoption of a new and comprehensive legal document establishing a fair and effective international climate change framework with the participation of all major economies, based on the Copenhagen Accord. [Japanese Press Release]